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Re: Robert Baker Aitken Roshi

I've had a quote from him as my signature for nearly two years now and that time has only increased its meaningfulness to me. Most sad to hear of his passing, but a reminder for us all the short time we all have on this Earth.

Re: Robert Baker Aitken Roshi

Re: Robert Baker Aitken Roshi

Do not weep at my grave.
I am not there. I am not sleeping.
A thousand winds. I will become a thousand winds.
I blow in the great sky.
In the autumn, I am the light that falls upon the crop fields.
In the winter, I am the falling snow that shines as a diamond.
In the morning, I am the bird to whose song you awake.
At night, I am the stars that watch over you.
Do not cry at my grave.
I am not there. I did not die.
As a thousand winds. As a thousand winds.
That blow in the great sky.
As a thousand winds. As a thousand winds.
That blow in the great sky.
I blow in the great sky.
- by Japanese Singer-songwriter Man Arai

This Roshi lives on in so many hearts and minds.
Many Full Prostrations.

Re: Robert Baker Aitken Roshi

May I humbly suggest that the upcoming Jukai class bear a designation as "Aitken Roshi Memorial Jukai Class", since his book Mind in Clover is so pivotal for the training.

Gassho,

Seishin Jyrill

A very nice suggestion, K, and we will dedicate our Jukai preparations to his memory ... and his book will be present with us throughout.

That's a great idea! I have not yet read his work, but I've obviously heard of him, and I think the best way to honor a teacher is to practice to the best of our ability and to further strengthen the flame and passion of our practice. So, as others are doing, I will dedicate my sitting tonight to Aitken Roshi and recite the Heart Sutra.

Re: Robert Baker Aitken Roshi

9 bows... I will also sit in his name tonight...

Really sad news!
But you had a very beautiful idea Seishin!
I'll read his book "the path of zen" again... but maybe the best thing to do is what is has been teaching during his life, just practicing zazen and living ...

Re: Robert Baker Aitken Roshi

Originally Posted by Don

Do not weep at my grave.
I am not there. I am not sleeping.
A thousand winds. I will become a thousand winds.
I blow in the great sky.
In the autumn, I am the light that falls upon the crop fields.
In the winter, I am the falling snow that shines as a diamond.
In the morning, I am the bird to whose song you awake.
At night, I am the stars that watch over you.
Do not cry at my grave.
I am not there. I did not die.
As a thousand winds. As a thousand winds.
That blow in the great sky.
As a thousand winds. As a thousand winds.
That blow in the great sky.
I blow in the great sky.
- by Japanese Singer-songwriter Man Arai

Re: Robert Baker Aitken Roshi

This is deeply saddening. Aitken Roshi was a masterful teacher, poetic in his teachings of the dharma, and it was one of his books, Taking the Path of Zen, which first induced me to learn the Way. Tonight, I will sit longer in his memory, and I will dedicate any merit to all sentient beings, the way Aitken Roshi, I beileve, would have wanted it.

Re: Robert Baker Aitken Roshi

Originally Posted by JohnsonCM

This is deeply saddening. Aitken Roshi was a masterful teacher, poetic in his teachings of the dharma, and it was one of his books, Taking the Path of Zen, which first induced me to learn the Way. Tonight, I will sit longer in his memory, and I will dedicate any merit to all sentient beings, the way Aitken Roshi, I beileve, would have wanted it.

He would also want us to get socially active to help some folks. He is one of the defining forces of "Engaged Buddhism" ... and that means that folks can't live on merit alone!